Ken
Gone but not forgotten
From IndyStar.com:
April 17, 2005
Talk of Our Town: Susan Guyett
Powell takes out pace car
Calling the Indianapolis 500 "as American as apple pie," Gen. Colin Powell was all smiles Saturday as he raced around the track in preparation for being the pace car driver for the May 29 race.
"This is great," he said.
Powell was learning the pace car driver ropes from a pro: former Indy 500 champ Johnny Rutherford. The former driver has prepared many celebrity pace car drivers for their four laps in the sun.
Powell is familiar with the car; he drives a 2005 Corvette coupe, and the pace car is essentially the same vehicle, with a few special touches added for the race. The Corvette has a top speed of 187 mph and can go from 0 to 60 in 4.1 seconds, according to Chevy spokesman Travis Parman.
Powell will be expected to get the race started by driving 90 to 100 mph for four laps before a second pace car takes over to move the field of 33 cars to higher speeds.
So what if Powell missed heading into the pits after four laps the first time out? The slip-up didn't bother Rutherford. "We're having fun. He's got the picture now," he said as they paused for a pit stop. Some more practice time will make him ready for race day, he said.
Powell arrived at the Speedway on Saturday morning with a few Chevy executives in tow.
Security was tight, and visitors taking a behind-the-scenes tour were not allowed on the track. What they did get to see, though, was Powell taking that red Corvette for a few turns at close to 100 mph. Considering Powell's distinguished career in diplomacy as secretary of state, would he ever take on the task of trying to mend the Indy Racing League/Champ Car differences?
"I only negotiate on matters I know a lot about," he said with a laugh.
April 17, 2005
Talk of Our Town: Susan Guyett
Powell takes out pace car
Getting up to speed: Ex-Indy 500 champ Johnny Rutherford (right) gave Colin Powell tips Saturday.
Calling the Indianapolis 500 "as American as apple pie," Gen. Colin Powell was all smiles Saturday as he raced around the track in preparation for being the pace car driver for the May 29 race.
"This is great," he said.
Powell was learning the pace car driver ropes from a pro: former Indy 500 champ Johnny Rutherford. The former driver has prepared many celebrity pace car drivers for their four laps in the sun.
Powell is familiar with the car; he drives a 2005 Corvette coupe, and the pace car is essentially the same vehicle, with a few special touches added for the race. The Corvette has a top speed of 187 mph and can go from 0 to 60 in 4.1 seconds, according to Chevy spokesman Travis Parman.
Powell will be expected to get the race started by driving 90 to 100 mph for four laps before a second pace car takes over to move the field of 33 cars to higher speeds.
So what if Powell missed heading into the pits after four laps the first time out? The slip-up didn't bother Rutherford. "We're having fun. He's got the picture now," he said as they paused for a pit stop. Some more practice time will make him ready for race day, he said.
Powell arrived at the Speedway on Saturday morning with a few Chevy executives in tow.
Security was tight, and visitors taking a behind-the-scenes tour were not allowed on the track. What they did get to see, though, was Powell taking that red Corvette for a few turns at close to 100 mph. Considering Powell's distinguished career in diplomacy as secretary of state, would he ever take on the task of trying to mend the Indy Racing League/Champ Car differences?
"I only negotiate on matters I know a lot about," he said with a laugh.
